Help please re: worms and lice :(

[wedgenib]

Hi there, I am getting myself so worried about this and am so frustrated.

I loan a pony, who I found out was covered with lice the other day (I'm talking infestation, never seen anything quite like it). I treated with deosect and decided to give a blanket wormer at the same time as his owner has never wormed before. Today, his poo is filled with dead small strongyle worms.

Now, I am worried as I am thinking about how ill he must have been having been infested with all of those parasites, and that with me suddenly getting rid of them if that will cause any problems for him ie new ones hatching and causing further harm?!

I obviously want to give another wormer to ensure all the little ******* are gone, but know you have to wait two weeks to get a worm count done to then target specifically. Have I been sensible by blanket worming to kick-start it with the amount that were on him, and worm counting in two weeks to get him onto a proper worming regime?

 

[be positive]

I would have done exactly the same, any equine that comes to my yard, especially if they have no record of a worming programme, will get a broad spectrum wormer immediately to eradicate the worst of any parasites they are carrying.

He will not necessarily have been unwell from the worm burden or lice, they tend to pull them down physically and over time can be damaging internally but they often have high levels with no obvious ill effects, although not ideal obviously.

If the wormer you used has covered everything then it now makes sense for you to worm egg count as planned and get him onto a regime that is recommended to keep on top of them in future, most wormers will continue to work for some time so any new ones hatching should still be killed, keeping the field clear of droppings will help reduce the risk of him picking up more and help break the cycle.